Create new variables in a loop (PHP)?

Question

I have a problem with PHP. I'd like to create a new variable each time, my loop runs through. For example: If my loop runs for the first time, it should create a new variable called $loop1, if it runs the second time $loop2 with a different value, third loop - $loop3... Here is a reference of my code, any help is appreciated!

while ($x < count($lines)) {
    $info
    x++;
}

I had the same idea, but I'd like to go further on with the variables. — Tiiill, Nov 14 '18 at 20:47
Use a data structure to store the values and then assign those values to their respective variable. — dustinos3, Nov 14 '18 at 20:48
Is there a reason to do this? It is not the normal way to create a set of related values, which is to use an array, vector, list, map (which are all bundled together as "array" in PHP) — Dave S, Nov 14 '18 at 20:50
Your next question will be: "How can I use $loopN variables when I don't know how many I got?". So yes, read up on arrays. — mario, Nov 14 '18 at 20:54

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 14 '18 at 20:48

5

You can create variables dynamically using braces in PHP, e.g.:

${"loop" . $x} = "some value";

(Reference: PHP "variable variables")

But note that this might be a bad idea in real-world application. It might be more appropriate to use an array or a map instead, e.g.

$loopVars = []; // create a new array
while (...) {
    $loopVars[] = "some value"; // add a new array element
}

answered Nov 14 '18 at 20:48

Alex Shesterov

26,085
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4

As a note dynamic variables are usually a **super bad idea** and should be avoided whenever possible. They can create astonishingly damaging security holes. – tadman Nov 14 '18 at 20:55
2

@tadman I agree to 100%. – Alex Shesterov Nov 14 '18 at 20:57

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 14 '18 at 20:48

2

I guess you are searching for something like an array.

$data = array();

while ($x < count($lines))
{
    $data[] = ... whatever you want to store
}

answered Nov 14 '18 at 20:48

Markus Safar

6,324
5
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Create new variables in a loop (PHP)?

2 Answers2